English Regency Travelling Turned Ivory Candlestick

An English Regency Travelling Turned Ivory Candlestick and Stand in three sections, the obelisk top when reversed becoming the holder for the sconce, which is contained inside the lid. The middle section for use as a handle, the whole standing on an ivory plinth
Circa 1820 – 40

Size: 21cm high, 5.5cm dia. (max) – 8¼ ins high, 2¼ ins dia. (max)

Travelling candleholders only seem to have been fashionable from around circa 1800. Generally those made until about 1830 hold candles of up to ½ inch diameter and have no provision for matches. Later specimens hold a larger modern type of candle.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the phrase 'auction by inch of candle' often appears in sale bills. These auctions not only included small goods, but also houses and ships. The purchaser was the last bidder before the candle expired. Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary for 1662 ‘…..observed one man cunninger than the rest that was sure to bid the last man, and to carry it; and inquiring the reason, he told me that just as the flame goes out the smoke descends, which is a thing I never observed before, and by that he do know the instant when to bid last, which is very pretty.’